Bottle opener with offset skirt engaging lip



ct. 7, 1958 v F. 0. LINE BOTTLE OPENER WITH OFFSET SKIRT ENGAGING LIP Filed Aug. 10., 1956 mm Lm INVENTOR.

United States Patent BOTTLE OPENER WITH OFFSET SKIRT ENGAGING LIP Fritz O. Lind, Petersburg, Va. Application August 10, 1956, Serial No. 603,397

2 Claims. (Cl. 81-3.3)

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in openers particularly for removing crown caps from bottles. Openers of this type now in widespread use comprise a mounting base or plate, an integral fulcrum engageable with the top of the cap and an overlying, arcuate prying lip engageable beneath the edge of said cap for removing same when the bottle is swung downwardly on said fulcrum. The construction and arrangement of parts is such that the top of the bottle is subjected to great pressure, resulting in considerable cracking, chipping or breakage.

It is accordingly the primary object of the present invention to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, an opener of the aforementioned character comprising novel means for expeditiously removing crown caps with comparatively little or no danger of damaging the bottle.

Other objects of the invention are to provide a bottle opener of the character set forth which will be relatively simple in construction, strong, durable, compact, attractive in appearance and which may be manufactured at low cost.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawing forming a part hereof, Wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

Figure 1 is a view in front elevation of an opener constructed in accordance with the present invention showing, in dotted lines, a cap engaged therewith;

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view through the opener, showing the device in use;

Figure 3 is a top plan view thereof with a portion of the opener broken away; and

Figure 4 is a view in side elevation of the device.

Referring now to the drawing in detail, it will be seen that the embodiment of the invention which has been illustrated comprises a substantially flat base or plate of suitable metal which is designated generally by reference character 5. The plate 5 is adapted to be mounted vertically in a wall or other suitable support, as indicated at 6. Toward this end, the upper and lower portions 7 and 8, respectively, of the plate 5 are provided with openings 9 for the reception of suitable securing elements.

At an intermediate point, the plate 5 has formed therein an opening 10. Formed integrally with the plate 5 over the opening 10 is an arcuate, forwardly and downwardly inclined guide or stop 11 beneath which the crown cap to be removed, as indicated at 12, is engageable. Reference character 13 designates a portion of a bottle from which the cap 12 is to be removed.

Also formed integrally with the plate 5, below the opening 10, is a forwardly projecting fulcrum 14 which underlies the guide 11 in spaced relation thereto. The fulcrum 14 is for abutting engagement with the lower portion of the usual substantially flat disk or top 15 of the cap 12.

Formed integrally with one end portion of the transversely extending, arcuate guide 11 is an inwardly laterally projecting prying lip 16. The lip 16 is engageable with the edge of the usual crimped skirt or flange 17 of the cap 12 at one side thereof.

It is thought that the use of the opener will be readily apparent from a consideration of the foregoing. Briefly, holding the bottle 13 in a substantially horizontal position, the cap 12 is inserted in the guide 11 against the fulcrum 14 with the lip 16 engaged'behind said cap at one side thereof. This is shown to advantage in Figures 2 and 3 of the drawing. The bottle 13 is then swung downwardly on the fulcrum 14 and the lip 16 pulls the cap 12 from the mouth of the bottle in an obvious manner. It is to be noted that during the removal of the cap the top of the bottle is subjected to little or no pressure when said bottle is swung downwardly. The guide 11 provides a space or area for any suitable indicia, as indicated at 18.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. An opener of the character described for removing crown bottle caps, said opener comprising: a vertical plate for mounting on a support, a substantially arcuate, transverse guide for the reception of a cap, integral with said plate, a fulcrum on the plate in spaced relation beneath the guide, said fulcrum for abutting engagement with the top of the cap, and a lateral lip on one end portion of the guide, said lip being olfset from a vertical line passing through the fulcrum and engageable behind the skirt of the cap on one side thereof for removing said cap from a bottle when said cap is swung downwardly on said fulcrum.

2. An opener of the character described for removing crown bottle caps, said opener comprising: a vertical plate for mounting on a support, said plate having an opening therein, an arcuate, forwardly and downwardly inclined guide, for the reception of a bottle cap, formed integrally with said plate over the opening, a fulcrum for abutting engagement with the top of the cap, integral with the plate below the opening, said fulcrum underlying said guide in vertically spaced relation thereto, and a lateral prying lip integral with one end portion of the arcuate guide, said lip being offset from a vertical line passing through the fulcrum and engageable behind the skirt of the cap on one side thereof for pulling said cap from the bottle when said bottle is swung downwardly.

Eckert Ian. 27, 1920 Brown Nov. 2, 1943 

